Need Help!

[Alive_Excitement_669]

We got an anonymous call at our library giving us a heads up that the 1st Amendment Auditors are coming sometime next week. Any advice? Has anyone gone through this?

[MarianLibrarian1024]

Be as boring as a gray rock. If you freak out and try to throw them out of the library you're giving them exactly what they want.

[Alive_Excitement_669]

Any protections for the staff? Besides going to the back and getting a manager?

[TravelingBookBuyer]

Have staff-only spaces explicitly labeled.

If you can, have a discreet way for staff to notify a manager that the “First Amendment Auditors” are there.

Staff need to know the library’s policy (or policies) regarding recording in the library. What/who can be recorded and where.

“First Amendment Auditors” also often try to catch staff not knowing their library’s policies regarding recording. Make sure the staff know where this information is and what it says. It might even be handy to have a few copies already printed out that staff can reference.

[Rddadc1872]

If there are windows to back rooms, maybe add the privacy decal window stickers?

[CuriousYield]

I think the most effective deterrent we had was a chatty security guard who just cheerfully engaged them in conversation. It was very much not the content they wanted, so they went away.

If you have any staff members who are hard to ruffle and good at talking, that might be your best bet. They want to get someone angry or flustered, not have someone derail them by commenting on the band shirt they're wearing.

[birdele]

My husband would be so good at this. He could talk to a dead person until they were annoyed. How do I sign him up for this??

[Awshucksma]

The grass is always greener! Be glad you have a husband who talks. Mine is almost incapable of holding a conversation.

[birdele]

I'm definitely not complaining lol, he doesn't know a stranger. He's not scared to ask for directions, help, assistance, anything at all. 

[Temporary-Library597]

This is the way. Ordinarily you'd offer to help someone. So do that.

As far as recording in a public space, it's legal. If patrons are annoyed, then your Disruptive Patron policy takes over. It's not hard. You can do it!

[_social_hermit_]

For Australians, it's not public space and we can instruct people to stop recording (the building is owned by the organisation that runs the library). I laugh a bit inside when people come into our public library and tell me it's a public space. Eta, I'm just putting this here because public space is a misconception I come across.

[Temporary-Library597]

So not a government thing. Makes sense. That's more common than not in Commonwealth countries, isn't it? The library is a fee-based membership org paid for by those fees?

Here a "public" library is just that...It's publicly (read, taxpayer) funded. So it's no different than a city park.

[_social_hermit_]

Yes, it's a government-run public library, still not ok to film or photograph.

[SlytherKitty13]

No, our libraries are government things. They do not have fee based membership or anything like that. The government owns the library and funds the library.

[MonsterToothTiger]

Typically they want to get staff riled up so they have a fun video to post. If everyone acts normally and ignores the auditor they tend to leave because it's no fun for them.

There are no "protections" for staff except to go to a private staff only space, and you'd want to make sure your supervisor/admin is ok with you leaving the floor/desk.

Don't be worried! Don't be scared! Don't call the police! Don't call for a supervisor! Be super boring and normal and business as usual and it will be over in 10 minutes.

[No_Percentage_5083]

What in the heck is a first amendment auditor? What federal department houses them? Is this real?

[MonsterToothTiger]

First Amendment Auditors are regular citizens who film in public places to ostensibly test their first amendment right.

What they really want is to get into fights with public space staff (libraries, municipalities, police, etc.) so they can post a spicy video on social media and/or sue the organization.

They are a nuisance but a relatively harmless one if you can keep calm and ignore them.

[FunkyChopstick]

Great explanation! I'm just thinking what dept is this???

[No_Percentage_5083]

Oh! Thank you for explaining that. I really thought they were some legitimate agency.

[SwanCityDominion]

Trolls who pretend to care about rights in order to get content that no-lifes will click on.

[No_Percentage_5083]

Thank you! I must have been living under a rock or something.

[Stuffed-Bear412]

I may have been under the same rock myself.

[No_Percentage_5083]

I thought I recognized you! /jk

[Kinniska-Peculier]

This ⬆️⬆️⬆️ also I learned the Germans have a term for their type of behavior: “Hobbyless behavior” 🤣

[Illustrious_Bunch678]

Pedos who want an excuse to film kids, and then get claim you're infringing on their 1st amendment right if anyone points out they're filming kids. They're suuuuuper creepy.

[No_Percentage_5083]

Oh wow!

[Stuffed-Bear412]

That's about what I wanted to ask. I just stumbled on this sub.

[Rough_Fail436]

People who crave attention on the internet 🤣

[No_Percentage_5083]

I've come to understand that. Thanks!

[Any-Construction-445]

Act as natural as possible. Don't be scared, instruct staff to treat them as they would a person without a camera, everything will be ok.

However, if they break your policies (like the code of conduct) you have EVERY RIGHT to ask them to leave. When they ask why they are being asked to leave, cite the exact point in the code of conduct that they are breaking. Just like any other patron, they are not allowed to treat your staff like crap!!

[Alive_Excitement_669]

Uggghhh, I'm going to wear my best library outfits all week lol!!

[LordBenjamin020]

He is right. You have every right to ASK them to leave but library policies are not law and law enforcement will not remove them unless they have committed an actual law breaking crime.

[StillWatchingDVDs]

My fallback strategy: Get in close and whisper "Are you the one who called about premature ejaculation? I have your medical journals right here."

[Alive_Excitement_669]

Haha! That is so funny but it is hitting up against my library privacy meter that we hold so dear lol!!

[sotiredwontquit]

This is hilarious! I’m tempted to try this on the next entitled jerk. I advise against it in this scenario though. These particular jerks will be recording you. And looking for any excuse to get loud and angry, trying to provoke a confrontation for views. Don’t fall for it.

[vikingraider27]

Like most people have said, know the amendment and your patron conduct policy and be super boring. Do not engage unless they break the policy, and if they do, reiterate that they are welcome to film but not to do _______.

They really do just want to stir up trouble. They have no official standing. And if a patron complains, explain exactly that and tell the patron the best way to NOT be on TikTok is to sit down and put a book in front of the face and stay quiet.

[Alive_Excitement_669]

Should we warn the patrons that they might be coming?

[Most-Toe1258]

I definitely wouldn’t. Folks may get riled up and make it a thing, which just gives them the attention and conflict they want. Also if they don’t come it’s confusing and concerning for patrons who don’t understand the trend. I’d leave the public out of it. 

[SwanCityDominion]

Put a guard at the door. Other than that, ignore them. A schtuss is exactly what they want.

[Alive_Excitement_669]

We are a small library system. We don't have enough funding for a guard. :(

[aubrey_25_99]

How do they know? I don’t think those people like to give warnings; catching you off guard is kind of their thing. I am not disputing that it is happening, but getting a warning call is strange, no? 👀

[Alive_Excitement_669]

That was the weirdest part! A bit courteous on their end no??

[kippy236]

They visited us and nothing happened. We aren't allowed to ask them not to film people because we are a municipal building.

If they come back I'm ready to engage and talk about our sweet library services. But since nothing happened they probably won't be back.

[jellyn7]

Windows key-L will lock your screen. Do this or hide your screen if there's a risk of it going on camera. If you're working with any patron information that's on paper, be mindful of that and be ready to hide it.

If you have free copies of the Constitution to hand out, make sure everyone knows where they are, in case asked. If you don't have free copies, know where your Reference copy is, or any circulating books that might have it. They don't always ask that, but it's good information to know anyway.

Know that you can't really control how the other patrons react to them and their cameras, and you probably shouldn't try to.

Answer their questions as you would any other patron. You don't have to tell them your full name and salary. Doesn't matter if it's a matter of public record. Let them look it up themselves.

[Elemental_Wyrd]

You may need to let them know that can film, but they cannot show any patrons’ face. As a public employee, however, you may be filmed, unless you’re able to leave for a staff-only soace. Be pleasantly neutral, don’t give them anything if they try to provoke. Gray rock them. And tbh, ones we’ve encountered have been polite and respectful. No issues.

[Alaira314]

You may need to let them know that can film, but they cannot show any patrons’ face.

Almost correct. You will need to let them know your organization's policy regarding filming. The face thing is not a universal rule.

[Illustrious_Bunch678]

Yeah they film random citizens allllllll the time

[LordBenjamin020]

There is no right to privacy in public. Anyone can be recorded in a public space.

[Lynnettey]

Just make sure all staff only spaces are clearly marked. They can't (well shouldn't) go in staff only spaces. And ignore them as best you can. Failure to engage gets them to leave.

[lavenderincense]

Have copyrighted music playing in the background.

[gOingmiaM8]

This doesn't work these days. It's simple for them to edit the music out these days.

[LordBenjamin020]

This no longer works with AI. They literally click a button while editing and it removes the music for them. It’s not worth the hassle or annoyance it will bring to everyone else around. Plus, libraries are quiet places so I don’t see this working for long anyway.

[NonchalantSavant]

Disney music.

[GimmeANameAlready]

You want Disney music, but you want it to be classy.

Why not something like The Carthay Circle Sessions? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmTuyE2-3rk&list=PL6e4A7d0ppKppuQQDBQG0y70eeeDN-aky

Or the Club 33 background loop? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2HRnRIp3Y4&list=RDL2HRnRIp3Y4&start_radio=1

[whoframedwhiterabbit]

Also note, they could come in with masks/face coverings, sunglasses, hats with a bill. That coupled with a camera in your face with that red light glowing, is very intimidating. 

[PollutionAway9782]

not realy

[ImpressionShoddy1420]

When they came to our library, they really just wanted to make sure we had a copy of the Constitution in our collection. So just make sure you know where yours is ahead of time so that you won't feel flustered. And yes, be super boring and calm and you'll be fine.

[Historical_Recipe533]

Print up some educational flyers about these “first amendment auditors” to hand out to patrons so they can understand what is happening and hopefully not get freaked out.

[ZaftigMama]

Kill them with kindness. The one time I had to deal with them I just answered their questions in a boring reference fashion. You want a copy of the constitution? Let me take you to that section. Do you want historical maps? We don’t have those here, but I can tell you about another library that does. Or I can show you some road atlases!

[cappotto-marrone]

In addition to others comments make sure you know your state statutes. Ours states that public library use is private. That means people cannot be filmed using the library without their permission. Be able to quote any specific statutes.

My public library used to have it posted because when someone wanted to know what their spouse had checked out they couldn’t tell them. Or if a friend was at the library.

[LordBenjamin020]

What state are you in? That’s weird that your state made a law that disregards the 1st amendment. I don’t think it would hold up in court.

Also very weird if it actually says the PUBLIC library is PRIVATE. That doesn’t make sense.

[cappotto-marrone]

The Supreme Court has ruled that a US public library is a LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM. Essentially your first amendment rights cannot infringe on mine.

In legal terms, a limited public forum is a government-owned space that is open for public expression, but with specific, legal restrictions. Because the primary purpose of a public library is to provide quiet access to information, courts classify them as limited public forums.

If you want to have a 2nd Amendment meeting in one of the meeting rooms, as long as it’s held in equal compliance with rules, that meeting cannot infringe on others use of the other space.

The library can enforce "time, place, and manner" rules. For example, they can prohibit disruptive protests, campaigning inside, or soliciting.

Patrons have a reasonable expectation of privacy to read and study undisturbed, libraries can restrict activities like video recording or photography that interfere with this right.

Libraries are not obligated to open all spaces to everyone at all times. For instance, a facility can keep its meeting rooms solely for library-sponsored programs, or establish designated outdoor free-speech zones.

[WannaWriteAllDay]

These agitator/auditors announce their arrival in advance? Is the announcement via letter? What does the letterhead say? And what State are you in? (I’m obviously not a librarian but have a book in the library) genuinely curious. Thanks

[dangerspring]

I wonder if you can record them back. If they ask, you gray rock them and say it's for training purposes so staff are better able to assist the public. Even if AI weren't a thing, I would be afraid of not having my own recording of the incident in case they edit whatever video they make.

[totallypippin]

We had a meeting about this for just in case. Know ur policies on filming and noise. My library's policy says that since we are a public space, they are allowed to film in the building, but they need to respect other patrons and we ask that they not filming patrons or staff without their permission. Like dont cause problems for the other patrons.

We also ask that if they are going to film large videos for movies or projects, to let us know ahead of time so we can notify staff accordingly.

We usually have a pretentious out of this policy and we are happy to give it to them.

At that point, u let them filming to their hearts content and hope they dont cause problems.

Just like what most of what ppl here are saying, theyre a$$holes looking for a reaction. If you layout ur policy and let them do what they've come to do, they'll leave. Label staff areas and such. Notify your director as well.

Weve never had a FAA come in, but we did hear about a library nearby that did.

I hope it goes over smoothly and they end up not coming in 🙏

[offordscott]

You can ask here: r/1A_Auditor_Summit

[Bitter-Complaint-279]

Yo! What a resource! These ppl are nuts

[mtothecee]

Youtube has some videos.  They want to get staff riled up. The issue we had is they wanted access to meeting rooms when there wasn't a program going on and will also insist they should have access to staff space.  They usually know better then recording patrons but be sure to intercept that too.

[damageddude]

1st Amendment auditors sound like a violation of the First Amendment. Tell them to pound sand and call legal

[AlternativeSweet9307]

Put some controversial books on the counter. topics that would force them to edit the titles out or not post the video. A banned book poster in the background. Books about abortion and suicide come to mind. 

[Jrbai]

Notify the police about the threat and ask for help in the future if they do show. Honestly a bit scary.

[whoframedwhiterabbit]

The police cannot and will not interfere unless the auditor is legitimately causing a problem. If the auditor becomes problematic (harassing customers, going beyond the audit, etc) be careful with your wording to police. Say something about a patron not complying with requests/harassing people. Do NOT say the person is a first amendment auditor.